Free Stepbrother: Forbidden Cravings: Stepbrother Romance Boxed Set by Heated Desires Publishing

having the love of a man who clearly was devoted to her.
    I was stunned however when Trevor insisted that I move into the mansion with them after the wedding. Telling me that his only son had left the family home many years ago. Then laughing as he said that the place needed some young blood again. I had jumped at the chance.
    Now, when I wasn’t at work I found myself exploring every room in the house. It seemed never-ending. With hidden doors and secret corridors built into the walls. The property was more like a maze after the apartment Mom and I had lived in before.
    Finding my way through the numerous rooms, I saw many family photographs. Always just of Trevor and his son Michael. Never anything to show a hint of the wife that he once had. All which built my curiosity further about a woman who had abandoned her son at just five years of age for a younger man.
    There was something else that did make me wonder about this new family that I was now a part of. Trevor rarely mentioned his son, and there were no recent photographs of him. Michael was only shown as a young boy, the eldest he had looked had possibly dated back to his teens.
    So why were there no images of him as an adult? What had caused him to leave the family home? And why were the pair no longer in touch? With these thoughts running through my mind, I headed back to the house.
     
    Chapter Two
     
    After taking a refreshing shower later that evening, I joined Mom and Trevor in the dining room. I was curious to see that an additional place had been set as I took my own seat. The butler, Stanley, came into the room with a large tray of steaming bowls of soup.
    I thanked him with a smile as he placed mine before me. Even stranger, a bowl was also left in front of the empty seat. From the corner of my eye I saw Trevor shake his head in annoyance. Mom patted his hand lightly before spooning some of the soup into her mouth.
    “Well, I told him what time dinner would be served. He should have the decency to be here on time,” Trevor grumbled.
    Before I could ask any questions, the door opened and a tall man strode into the room. His brown hair was damp and slicked back from his face. Green eyes sparkled within his unshaven chiselled features.
    Simply wearing slacks and a tight t-shirt that clung to his muscular chest the stranger took the empty seat and placed his napkin upon his lap without a word. I jumped as Trevor slammed his hand against the table angrily.
    “Michael, do you not think it would be nice for you to introduce yourself?”
    “You told me to be here to dine with you. I didn’t realize it was such a social occasion,” the man mumbled.
    This was Michael? I tried to hide my surprise as I broke some bread and buttered it lightly. My mind began to race with questions. Why was he here? What could have prompted him to return to the family home after so long? I bit my tongue, not wanting to interfere as Trevor scowled at his son.
    “You had the pleasure of meeting my wife earlier. This is your step-sister Maria,” Trevor said as he gestured in my direction.
    “Hello Michael. It’s nice to finally meet you,” I said with a smile.
    “Hi.”
    An awkward silence fell over us. Glancing at Mom occasionally, all she could offer was a raise of her eyebrows. Obviously there was something going on between Trevor and his son, but it wasn’t my place to pry.
    With the starter cleared, Trevor took a drink of his wine. He leant forward in his seat, eyeing Michael intently. Michael shifted in his seat, appearing nervous while he waited for his father to speak.
    “Now let me explain Maria. Michael has an accountancy company, which has sadly fallen on hard times. He contacted me while I was away and asked if he could move back home for a while until things improve,” Trevor explained.
    “I’m sorry to hear that,” I sympathized.
    “Yes well when you employ a woman to deal with your admin and she decides to embezzle the company these things happen,”